This essential guide to Urdu phrases is tailored for travellers and beginners of the Urdu language. Urdu, known for its poetic elegance and cultural significance, is recognized as the national language of Pakistan and an official language in several Indian states [1], offering a plethora of expressions to navigate various aspects of travel and everyday interactions. Simple greetings like "آداب" (Adaab - Hello) and "آپ کیسے ہو" (Aap kesay hein - How are you?) facilitate connections with Urdu-speaking communities.
Within this guide, you'll find a comprehensive array of topics encompassing everything from basic greetings and pleasantries to indispensable conversations regarding transportation, accommodation, and shopping. Additionally, it encompasses expressions for numbers, quantities, time, and days, serving as the fundamental components of interactions.
The Government of India actively promotes Urdu language education and development through the National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language [2]. If you require additional Urdu phrases, you can use our online English to Urdu translation tool. This online tool effortlessly translates English sentences and phrases into Urdu, and vice versa.
In Urdu culture, greetings reflect deep respect and traditional values rooted in Islamic and South Asian heritage. The traditional greeting "Assalamu Alaikum" (السلام علیکم) is widely used among Muslims to show peace and respect. Urdu hospitality emphasizes warmth and courtesy, with language playing a key role in connecting communities across Pakistan, India, and Urdu-speaking diaspora worldwide.
In Urdu, personal pronouns vary depending on gender, number, and formality. For e.g., I am very happy (Main bohot khush hoon - میں بہت خوش ہوں)
In Urdu, possessive pronouns indicate ownership or possession of something. For e.g., This is her bag (Ye uska bastah hai - یہ اس کا بستہ ہے۔)
In Urdu, demonstrative pronouns are used to point out specific persons, places, or things. For e.g., That is his car (Vho uski gaadi hai - وہ اس کی گاڑی ہے۔)
Learn practical and important phrases required for day-to-day activities.
Knowing basic phrases is one thing, but most importantly you need to know the phrases and sentences when in emergencies, reporting police regarding robberies, or visiting doctor or hospital due to health issues.
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